Business consulting has probably existed since the modern concept of business appeared. However, it is being seen in recent times that the number of “independent consultant projects in Nigeria” is increasing rapidly.
The explanation is simple: many bosses, managers or company directors lose their jobs due to economic crises or simply want to reorient their careers.
It stands to reason that someone with this knowledge and talent, gained through business experience and study, would want to harness it independently as a business consultant.
Unfortunately, many failures are seen in the attempt.
That’s why the question is how does someone become a business consultant in this situation in Nigeria? and equally or more importantly, how not to fail in the attempt?
The “consulting project” faces a great barrier to overcome it is not the same to know or be an expert in something as to know the “trade” of a consultant.
Not understanding this aspect of business consulting is the reason for the vast majority of failures!
Professional experience is undoubtedly very important for Nigerian companies.
To develop business consulting successfully, other skills and work methods are necessary that are not only the specific technical knowledge of what has been done before, be it marketing, finance, management, or purchasing.
So much so, that it would not be the first time that an excellent professional, for example, a marketing expert, has been seen as failing as an independent consultant and has to go back to look for a job in a company.
What Is The Best Way Then?
Perhaps the path is to start working with mentors, alongside someone who was already an experienced consultant, or in a consulting company, to gradually learn the infinity of keys that this fascinating profession has.
Without a doubt, this would be a smart way to start, but… what would happen if you could also study, and train by learning all these keys and tools?
The benefits are clear: the time to learn the profession of business consultant would be shortened, many headaches would be avoided and the chances of success would be greater.
A Comprehensive Vision Of Business Consulting
We said that business consulting requires other skills in addition to specific knowledge. These essential skills can be summarized in the following broad areas:
- Knowledge of one’s strengths and weaknesses as a consultant: Indispensable to know what personal aspects need to be improved.
- Consulting strategies: Know and develop the consulting business strategy.
- Analysis and company strategy: Analysis tools of the company (clients) and the corresponding strategies to face.
- Consulting methodology and process: Learn how to develop a consulting process step by step.
After these stated aspects we cannot ignore personal factors that are also essential:
- Modesty
- Self-confidence
- Objectivity
- Capacity for analysis and synthesis at the same time
- Social Intelligence
- Ability to empathize
- Continuous learning attitude
- Communicator skills
- Persuasive ability
- Open mind, flexible, without rigid schemes
- Be patient
Seeing all this does not seem an easy task, and it is not if you want to be successful. However, it is an exciting profession that more than compensates for the necessary effort of work and training.